Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (Interventional Radiography)

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Works closely with radiologists, clinicians, procedural nurses, and trainee DRT technologists to assure optimum quality control, coordination of activities, and that high­ quality diagnostic imaging results are achieved Performs IR studies of the human anatomy and operates the following IR Digital Radiology Equipment.

Duties for the position include but are not limited to:

• Performs ballon angioplasty, vena cava filter placement, percutaneous nephrostomy, biliary drainage and stenting, embolization, stent-graft placement, liver embolization, abscess drainage, dialysis graft studies, which can Include angiogram, analysis and measurement of an occlusion, and determination of the size and type of balloon angioplasty and/or stent, uterine fibroid embolization, chest tube placement/check, PICC-line placement, tunneled dialysis catheter, placement of central venous lines - for long and short term venous access dialysis graft studies - for evaluation and angioplasty treatment of stenotic arteriovenous shunts In dialysis patients, thrombosis - treatment..
• Utilizes ancillary software to analyze images for measurement of anatomy and to increase Image resolution to assist radiologists/ proceduralist in optimal patient diagnosis, Intervention, and care.
• Performs hybrid OR/IR procedures in conjunction with vascular surgery.
• Schedules to performs emergency interventional Radiology or Vascular procedures that require advanced imaging capability.
• Serves as a liaison between the radiologists/ Proceduralist and applications specialist, engineering, and field-service representatives, on facilitating software upgrades, service, and repairs for the Hybrid procedure suite.
• Maintains the quality assurance program of the hybrid suites, by performing tests of quality control as required and directed by the manufacturer.
• Practices radiation safety to reduce exposure to the patient, staff, and self. This is achieved using lead aprons, lead gloves, lead shields, and collimation.
• Participates in quality improvement as directed, to ensure that all performance measures established by the Medical Center, Vision 21, VA Central Office, JCAHO, OSHA, SOARS, and Inspector General.
• performs quality radiographic images; positions patients in accordance the with established protocols and procedures to ensure the demonstration of the anatomy of
  clinical interest.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:00am - 3:30pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 07614-F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VHAV21CCOEEDRP@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Certification: All applicants must be certified in general radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology, Radiography (ARRT) (R).
• Education: Completion of a full-time training course of at least 24 months in duration (or the equivalent) in a post-high school diagnostic radiologic technology program, evidenced by a certificate or an associate degree, accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) or from [other accrediting agencies as recognized by the Department of Education (DOE).
• Credentialing Standards: Public Law 97-35, the Consumer-Patient Radiation Health and Safety Act of 1981, requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75, Standards for the Accreditation of Educational Programs and the Credentialing of Radiographic Personnel. Essentially, they must have successfully completed an educational program that meets or exceeds the standards described in that regulation and is accredited by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and be certified as radiographers in their field.

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations: Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist, GS-9

• Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level.
• Technologists working in this special assignment may function as vascular interventional (VI), cardiac interventional (CI) and/or cardiovascular-interventional (CV) technologists which use specialized equipment to perform diagnostic angiographic procedures and complex vascular and nonvascular interventional and therapeutic procedures. This specialty requires additional knowledge of vascular systems and major vessel anatomy. The technologist must be knowledgeable in the specialized equipment employed for digital subtraction systems and interventional procedures. The technologist administers contrast media under the supervision of the staff radiologist and confers with the radiologist to establish requirements regarding contrast agents, vital signs, medications, and physiologic monitoring to perform procedures. IR technologist must be knowledgeable in digital imagining and PACS.]
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs:
  • Ability to balance the needs of patients and staff while still performing complex scans and procedures.
  • Knowledge of techniques for gathering relevant information from the medical record, significant others, and health care providers.
  • Ability to assess factors that may contraindicate the procedure.
  • Knowledge of basic first aid and basic life support practices related to radiography.
  • Knowledge of physical assessment, aseptic techniques, intravenous methods and techniques and universal precautions.
  • Knowledge of pre-procedural, procedural, and post-procedural care of patients.

Preferred Experience: The incumbent requires one to be able to stand or walk for long periods of time. There is some bending and carrying of moderately heavy articles such as equipment or records. The technologist must be able to help lift and move patients to difficult positions on the radiographic table. The incumbent will be using multiple computer systems, using both mouse and keyboard Input, stressing the hand wrist. In the IR Suite the incumbent is considered an occupationally exposed individual working under the supervision of the radiation safety officer. Exposure in controlled areas must be kept at a level that would not allow the technologist to stay in the area during the entire working month without exceeding their maximum permissible dose (MPO). This is monitored by wearing a Dosimeter badge MPD for the whole body and other vital organs (gonads, red bone marrow, and lenses) shall not exceed S REMS times the age in years, minus 18. When required, it is mandatory that the technologists wear protective devices and shield patients according to the Facility Protocol.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.